The Camden Council Planning Committee met on Monday 13 April 2026 to discuss several planning applications. The meeting's agenda included proposals for a change of use at Northumberland House to a hotel, the temporary installation of padel courts at the former Homebase site, and a change of use at Weston House to a leisure and socialising venue. Additionally, the committee was scheduled to consider amendments to a Section 106 agreement for Euston Tower.

Northumberland House, High Holborn, London WC1V 7JZ

The committee was scheduled to consider a proposal for the change of use of 303-306 Northumberland House from office and retail (Class E) to a hotel (Class C1). The plans included replacement windows, alterations to shopfronts, the addition of blue/green roofs, and a generator. The report pack indicated that the building had been largely vacant, with over two years of marketing evidence demonstrating a lack of demand for office space. The proposal aimed to bring the building back into active use as a hotel, providing 105 rooms.

The report pack noted that the loss of two ground-floor retail units was not considered to harm the area's vitality, as these units were vacant and in low demand. Instead, the proposal included a publicly accessible restaurant/bar at ground level to enhance footfall and economic activity. The conversion to residential use was deemed unsuitable due to noise and air quality concerns, as well as the potential for sub-standard accommodation. The hotel use was considered to align with London Plan Policy E10 and Camden Local Plan Policy E3, supporting tourism and economic growth. External works were described as limited and unlikely to harm the Bloomsbury Conservation Area.

The report recommended granting conditional planning permission subject to a Section 106 Legal Agreement, which would include contributions towards transport infrastructure, employment and training initiatives, and a public access plan. Conditions were also proposed to ensure the development met sustainability targets, including a 44% CO2 reduction and BREEAM 'excellent' rating.

Supplementary information provided to the committee detailed amendments to Condition 19, reducing the number of wheelchair-accessible rooms from 11 to 10, and clarified the status of the retail units, noting one was occupied by Card Factory with a lease ending in September 2027. An amendment to paragraph 7.23 of the report corrected the calculation for the loss of employment space contribution to £151,810.00.

Former Homebase Store, 255 Finchley Road, The O2 Centre, London NW3 6LU

The committee was scheduled to discuss a proposal for the temporary installation of 10 padel courts and associated facilities at the former Homebase store site within the O2 Masterplan Site. This development was intended as a 'meanwhile use' for up to 5 years, pending the progression of the approved masterplan redevelopment. The proposal included a clubhouse, sauna building, golf pods, and external lighting.

The report highlighted that leisure and sport facilities contribute to strong and healthy communities, and increasing provision in accessible areas aligns with the development plan. The temporary nature of the use, with reversible design and a break clause, was intended to ensure it would not prejudice the long-term redevelopment of the site. Community benefits were to be provided through a Community Use Plan, and transport obligations, including a Travel Plan and micromobility contribution, were to be secured. The development was not expected to harm neighbouring residential amenity, heritage assets, or the character and appearance of the area.

The recommendation was to grant conditional planning permission subject to a Section 106 Legal Agreement, covering a Travel Plan contribution, construction management plan, micromobility improvements, and a Community Use Plan. Conditions were proposed to limit the temporary permission to 5 years and ensure approved drawings and details were adhered to.

Ground Floor and Basement, Weston House, 242-246 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EX

The committee was scheduled to consider a change of use application for the ground and basement floors of Weston House. The unit, previously a gym (Class E), was proposed to be used as a competitive leisure and socialising venue, including pool, pub/bar games, and pop-up entertainment, with an ancillary bar/restaurant (Sui Generis). The total floor space would remain 1,147sqm.

The proposed operating hours were from 10:00 to 23:30 Monday to Thursday, 10:00 to 00:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11:00 to 22:30 on Sundays and Bank Holidays. The report indicated that the use was considered acceptable in its Central London location, complementing the mixed-use character of High Holborn and contributing to visitor footfall. No external alterations were proposed, thus not impacting the building's appearance or the Bloomsbury Conservation Area.

The report noted that while the use would increase activity, it was not considered to have a detrimental impact if managed properly, with an Operational Management Plan (OMP) to be secured via a Section 106 legal agreement. The nearest residential properties on Gate Street were approximately 20m away, and the OMP included provisions for SIA registered door staff and measures to manage customer dispersal. The proposal was considered to accord with relevant Camden Local Plan policies regarding land use, amenity, design, heritage, and transport.

The recommendation was to grant conditional planning permission subject to a Section 106 Legal Agreement to secure the Operational Management Plan. Conditions were proposed to control operating hours and noise breakout.

Euston Tower, 286 Euston Road, London NW1 3DP

The committee was scheduled to consider a Deed of Variation to amend the Section 106 Agreement for a previous planning permission (2023/5240/P) related to the Euston Tower redevelopment. The proposed amendments included removing a clause requiring a minimum area of 16,476sqm to be restricted for Knowledge Quarter Activities, and broadening the definition of 'Deconstruction Works'.

The report explained that removing the Knowledge Quarter restriction would provide greater flexibility for occupiers and investors, without reducing the overall Class E(g) office floorspace or the scheme's economic benefits. The building would still be suitable for Knowledge Quarter activities. The amendment to 'Deconstruction Works' was sought to align with the practicalities of the building's dismantling process and the reconstruction contract, without negatively impacting the timing or nature of obligations such as affordable housing payments.

The report concluded that these amendments would not materially affect the scheme's benefits or have adverse amenity impacts. Therefore, it was recommended that the Borough Solicitor be instructed to progress the deed of variation.